Tag Archives: Yoga meditation

Traveling? Consider yoga stretching as a mobile workout

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Fitness buffs who often travel for personal or professional reasons may have a difficult time keeping up with their health and wellness goals on the road. Not only are they away from their usual gym or health club, but lengthy travel can eat away at time for physical activity. Here are three reasons yoga stretching is the perfect mobile workout.

Minimal workout gear
People who like to lift weights or cycle usually can't bring their workout gear with them. However, practicing yoga meditation and stretching exercises requires minimal equipment. Simply throw a yoga mat in your suitcase, and you're good to go!

Versatile workout routine
Another great part about yoga is that you can exercise just about anywhere. Whether you decide to head to a local park in your vacation destination or practice in your hotel room, all you need is a flat patch of ground to get started.

Yoga in stages
If you want to get a quick exercise in before you head out for dinner reservations or sightseeing, yoga is the workout for you. In fact, yoga can even be done in stages. Consider practicing a few poses in the morning, meditating in the afternoon and finishing up the evening with another quick yoga stretch.

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How yoga meditation and stretching can help with common health issues

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If you've been struggling with aches, pains or other general health issues lately, incorporating regular physical activity into your life can make a big difference. Yoga meditation and yoga stretching exercises are great ways to improve your overall wellness while also combating a number of common health problems. Here are three examples of how yoga can benefit your lifestyle.

Trouble falling asleep
When you've got a full day of work, classes or family obligations ahead of you, the last thing you want to deal with is a poor night of sleep. If you've been finding it difficult to catch some shuteye, yoga exercises and meditation techniques are great ways to lower stress levels and promote relaxation, making it easier for you to go to bed at night.

Joint and muscle pain
There are numerous reasons why you may be experiencing joint and muscle pain on a regular basis, whether its due to a sudden weight gain, manual labor or recent stress. However, there are a variety of yoga stretches that can specifically relieve pain in your back, legs, shoulders, neck and feet.

Headaches
Stress, lack of sleep and poor diet can all contribute to frequent headaches. If you're looking for a way to deal with the pain, consider practicing yoga meditation and deep breathing exercises that can promote relaxation and improve blood circulation.

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How yoga meditation and stretching exercises can benefit you in the new year

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If you're looking for a great New Year's resolution, you might want to consider joining a yoga class for your health and wellness. Yoga meditation and yoga stretching exercises are beneficial ways to improve your body, mind and spirit. Here are a few of the ways practicing yoga can improve your new year.

Better eating habits
While you're not required to change your diet when you practice yoga, you'll likely be surrounded by a group of people who are enthusiastic about healthier eating. If you're open to the idea, you may start including more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products in your regular diet.

More energy
Have you been struggling to stay motivated in your personal and professional lives? You might be surprised how much extra energy working out with yoga can give you. Beyond helping you sleep better and longer at night, people who exercise on a regular basis have more strength and energy to use in their everyday activities.

Less stress
The holiday season can be a particularly stressful time of year. Luckily, yoga meditation, deep breathing and stretching are all great ways for you to blow off steam and feel more at peace with the world around you.

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How yoga meditation and yoga stretching can help with holiday fatigue

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The holiday season can be a mixed bag. While you're probably looking forward to celebrating days like Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve, the stress of shopping, decorating, cooking and planning in advance can really begin to wear you down. This is why you might want to consider practicing yoga meditation and yoga stretching, as these can help you make it to January without driving yourself crazy. Here are a few of the advantages that yoga provides.

Stress relief
Deep breathing exercises, a personal mantra and meditation are all great ways yoga can help you relax. Not only will you be improving your self-control and focus, but you'll also push distracting and stressful thoughts from your mind, allowing you to enjoy a clear head.

Weight loss goals
Have you been trying to lose some weight and fear that holiday meals can undo all your good work? Physical activity such as yoga can provide you with a fun and beneficial way to burn calories and keep your gut in check. Exercise also boosts your metabolism, so that's another added benefit to practicing yoga.

More energy
There's no doubt that planning a variety of events for family and friends can really begin to wear you down. Luckily, the stress relief you'll enjoy from yoga stretching and meditation can help you feel more alert and energized. That's not to mention that working out helps you sleep better, which can give you an added pick-me-up when you need it.

 

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How yoga meditation exercises can benefit you at work

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Whether you work in a corporate office or out in the field, the demands of a career can really begin to take a toll on your body and mind as the years go by. If you've been feeling the pressure build lately and are looking for a release, you might want to consider practicing meditation exercises at work. Here are a few of the advantages that meditation techniques for stress can offer you on the job.

The will to get things done
Everyone has been in that situation where there are mountains of work on their desks, but they just don't have the will or energy to get working. In these moments, you need a little extra something to kick your brain into gear, and meditation can provide that jumpstart. By regularly practicing yoga and meditation, you'll quickly find that you have more energy and enthusiasm to complete your tasks.

The ability to cope
Even when you are able to focus, you often have to deal with people at work who make your life more difficult. Whether it's a boss breathing down your neck or a client that just won't communicate with you, the peace and tranquility that meditation affords can help you cope with even the most frustrating of situations.

The state of mind to do it all again tomorrow
After a long day of work, many people just can't stop thinking about their professional tasks and responsibilities, even when they get home. However, pushing aside worries and concerns about work is important for you to be able to rest and enjoy your private life. Meditation exercises can help you forget about your job for a minute, so you have the state of mind to go in fresh the next day.

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What can you hope to achieve with yoga meditation?

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So, you've decided to sign up for a regular yoga class, and now you're wondering what your instructor has in store for you on day one. While it's easier to wrap your mind around practicing yoga stretches and poses, you might be a little confused about getting into yoga meditation exercises. Here are three things that frequent yoga meditation poses can help you achieve in your everyday life.

Eight hours of sleep
It can seem like there are never enough hours in the day to get things done, which makes getting a good night's sleep even more important. If you've been struggling to snooze for a solid eight hours each night, you'll be happy to know that meditation can assist in better sleep habits. This is because regular meditation can help you reduce stress levels and deal with distressing thoughts in a constructive way, giving you peace of mind to rest at night.

Reduced stress
As mentioned above, meditation is great for working past feelings of stress and anxiety that may accompany work, school or your domestic life. By adopting a personal mantra and practicing deep breathing exercises, you may find that you're more relaxed and ready to take on the day after even a 10-minute meditation session.

Personal retreat
Sometimes you just need to get away from the world for a brief time, and yoga meditation is the perfect way to do this. Once you have the basic principles down to meditate successfully, you can take the occasional break to meditate in your workplace or even head to a peaceful outdoor location where you can relax and enjoy your surroundings.

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Debunking myths about yoga meditation

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If you're trying yoga for the first time, you may be attempting to wrap your head around the practice of meditation. Along with stretching and breathing, yoga meditation is one of the core pillars of this ancient art form – however, it is also one of the most misunderstood. Here are a few yoga meditation techniques myths debunked.

Meditation involves intense concentration
While better concentration is often the goal of meditation, ArtofLiving.com notes that this practice actually involves letting go of conscious thought. By relaxing your body through breathing exercises, meditation allows your mind to rest and recharge without becoming distracted.

Yoga is like any other sport
According to FoxBusiness.com, many people are under the impression that yoga is a sport like cycling, boxing or weightlifting. However, this ancient practice is actually more like a way of life – involving spiritual growth, bodily transformation and mental adaptability. The physical side of yoga is almost secondary to the power of meditation and controlled breathing exercises.

Yoga is an eastern religion
If you're concerned about practicing yoga for religious reasons, fear not. According to the Huffington Post, the meditation practiced in yoga is not necessarily a religious aspect but more important to spiritual and personal growth. In fact, this practice is not so different to rituals found in Christianity, Judaism or Islam – meaning it is a common thread that runs through many of the world's cultures and communities.

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Beginners guide to yoga meditation

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If you're interested in getting involved with a yoga class, you're probably aware of the various poses and stretches involved. However, did you know that a large part of this exercise is centered around yoga meditation? Here are a few beginners tips to familiarize yourself with this practice.

Lotus position

Out of the many yoga meditation poses, the lotus pose is perhaps the most recognizable and traditional. According to ABC News, this is a great place to start your breathing and mind-clearing exercises. Simply cross your legs in a comfortable position, sit with your back straight and relax.

Point of focus

In order to clear your mind of disruptive thoughts, HelpGuide.org recommends giving yourself a point of focus. This can be a central idea, image, feeling or word that helps you stay calm and relaxed. Simply focus on this thought and repeat it throughout your meditation session.

Listen to your breathing

In addition to a point of focus, practicing deep, controlled breathing exercises is another important component of yoga meditation. According to MindBodyGreen.com, listen to the sound of your breathing and concentrate on the rising and falling motion of your chest to get yourself into a rhythm.

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For people with psoriasis, yoga meditation supplies include moisturizer, oils

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August is Psoriasis Awareness Month, meaning it's a time to learn more about this common and painful skin-and-joint condition – as well as find out about ways that yoga meditation supplies can soothe psoriatic skin.

Psoriasis is an inherited disorder in which the body's immune system overreacts to irritants, causing the skin to grow very fast. What results are thick, scaly, flaking or red patches of epidermis. Sometimes, this autoimmune disorder also affects the joints, causing aches or even full-blown arthritis.

If you have psoriasis, here are some yoga meditation supplies that may help soothe your skin:

- Moisturizer. Before and after a yoga session, apply moisturizer liberally to affected skin. This will keep it plump and prevent cracking and redness. Also, remember to engage in yoga meditation poses that don't overstretch the skin.

- Body oils. These products can also loosen up the skin before a yoga class. Also, try bath oils at night, which help repair irritated areas.

- Water. Drinking plenty of water during yoga helps the skin replenish its moisture levels.

- Sunblock. While a little sun exposure is considered good for psoriatic skin, too much can cause flare-ups. So, when doing yoga outdoors, use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

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Must-have yoga meditation supplies for the summer: Sunscreen and long-sleeved clothes

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Now that U.S. heat records are falling left and right, it's important to pay extra attention to your skin this summer. After all, it's the only thing standing between you and the sun's hot, hot rays. That's why, at Dahn Yoga, we recommend including sunscreen, long-sleeved clothing and an umbrella in your warm-weather yoga meditation supplies.

Many people do their meditating indoors, which generally makes the sunblock and parasol unnecessary. But even there, a good, all-natural, cotton-based set of pants and a loose, long-sleeved shirt can help keep your skin cool.

Outdoors, though, you should take every measure to protect your skin from UV rays. The  American Academy of Ophthalmology agrees, which is why it has sponsored July as National UV Safety Month.

Here are some tips from the organization for keeping your skin from burning:

- Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. If you don't, your pain management techniques will be for nothing, since a bad sunburn can be excruciating.

- Keep long sleeves, a hat and an umbrella handy.

- If you have blue, green or gray eyes, consider wearing sunglasses to protect your retinas.

- Avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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